Speaker of the National Assembly

Honourable Chair of the Portfolio Committee on Health and members of parliament

My Colleague Deputy Minister of Health

MECS of Health

Heads of our Public Health Entities and Statutory Councils

Deans of Faculties of Medical Sciences

Health professionals who have joined us today;

Distinguished guests

Fellow Compatriots

Ladies and gentlemen

Opening Statement

Thank you for this opportunity to table the Health budget vote and policy statement for 2021/ 2022.Our country is emerging from a tumultuous year of 2020, which has seen huge global devastation from COVID 19.

In our country, this resulted in 1,6 million positive cases, 10,9 million tests done, 54 968 associated lives lost, though 95% of those affected have recovered.

The COVID-19 positive cases have started to rise significantly and we may find ourselves in the third wave. Of concern has been the emergence of B.1.351 in our country and the importation of B1.617.2variant from India and B.1.1.7 from the UK. We all have a responsibility to use the non-pharmaceutical interventions to protect ourselves and reduce the risk of infection.

Full Speech Attached